Farming Australia The backbone of the nation

So many of us feel dependant on the large super markets for our every day needs, rarely stopping to realise that, in fact, we are really depending on those great families, far removed from the cities, the farmers, power generators, earth movers, miners, rail roaders, dam and pipeline constructors and so many other important people out there, who go about their duties for us, largely unnoticed.

These three machines are operating on a large, irrigated farm on rich black soil near Cecil Plains. The owner is thought to have some agricultural pursuits in the USA also at that time. Skilled operators of these expensive machines are valued by the farm owners throughout the cotton growing regions. Many of these operators follow the cotton picking season from town to town and are warmly welcomed when they return each year. Most main cotton growing areas have a dedicated cotton gin (processing and baling plant) near by together with rail transport. Such industries are highly valued in these rural communities, where job opportunities may not always exist and workers often tend to move to the cities or the coast.